Big Bend National Park closed Friday due to the coronavirus pandemic/Rebecca Latson file

Editor's note: This updates with a report that a Big Bend visitor entered a park store and told staff she had tested positive for COVID-19.

The coronavirus pandemic reached into one of the most remote parts of the National Park System on Friday when it prompted the closure of Big Bend National Park in West Texas on the banks of the Rio Grande.

The closure came at 8:30 a.m. local time when entry was blocked to all but employees, residents, and other authorized persons. "Through traffic will be prohibited, as will travel on Terlingua Ranch Road within park boundaries," a park release said.

“The National Park Service listened to the concerns from our local partners and, based on current health guidance, temporarily closed the parks,” said Big Bend National Superintendent Bob Krumenaker. “We are committed to continued close coordination with our state and local partners as we progress through this closure period and are prepared when the timing is right to reopen as quickly and safely as possible.”  

The park's closure came four days after a visitor entered the store at Panther Junction and told workers there that she had tested positive for COVID-19.

"Monday, the park received notice from the Panther Junction store/gas station that a visitor briefly entered and self-identified as having coronavirus," Big Bend Chief of Interpretation Tom Vandenberg told the Big Bend Gazette. "The individual was acting strange, but was not symptomatic. That facility was immediately cleaned and disinfected. Park rangers searched far and wide for the individual, but were unable to locate anyone matching her description or vehicle description. Public health was contacted about the incident, and determined that the incident posed very low risk. No [Big Bend National Park] employees are quarantined.”

Other closures continued to ripple through the National Park System on Friday.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah/Arizona: The Bullfrog District, the Stanton Creek, Farley's Canyon, and North Wash Primitive Campgrounds were temporally closed to all public use until further notice. The closure was intended to address potential health hazards related to congregating in groups with limited ability to practice social distancing, as well as potential resource impacts due to use while restroom servicing and trash removal have been suspended.

In the Wahweap District of the park at the Beehive Primitive Campground, camping will be allowed for the 3-day maximum stay only, within the six designated camping pads. To protect park employees and visitors and prevent resource damage, the Ferry Swale area beyond the Beehive Primitive Campground is temporarily open to day-use only. Camping along the Ferry Swale road network is prohibited. The park will review and announce further restrictions that may be necessary to address potential health hazards related to congregating in groups with limited ability to practice social distancing, as well as damage to resources. The Beehive/Ferry Swale area is located on Highway 89 near Page, Arizona, across from the park’s Wahweap South Entrance.

In addition, day use boat rentals at Wahweap and Bullfrog were closed. In Bullfrog, the Anasazi Restaurant is closed. The Bullfrog Corner Store and Lower Gift Shop was to be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily. Effective Saturday, April 4, houseboat rentals at Wahweap and Bullfrog were being closed.

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi: As of 5 p.m. local time Friday, park waters surrounding the Mississippi islands were to remain open to visitors, but closing were all National Park Service-managed islands, including Petit Bois, West Petit Bois, Horn, and Ship islands, as well as the NPS-owned portions of Cat Island and the Davis Bayou Area.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida: All islands managed by the national park closed to the public on Friday. Park waters remained accessible to the public for recreational use in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance, in addition to entry fees being waived for visitors. Garden Key Harbor and Bird Key Harbor also remain open for boats to anchor.

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Florida: The park closed Friday.